New Zealand China Friendship Society Inc. – Nelson Branch President: Christine Ward 23 Suter Street, Stoke, Nelson. Phone: 03 538 0344 email: [email protected] Secretary: Barbara Markland 23 Polglase Street, Richmond. Phone: 03 544 4712 email: [email protected] Website: www.nzchinasociety.org.nz No. 4 - June, 2015 ~ Next meeting ~ “Bridging Two Cultures Through Education” with Ian and Jane Lister Ian Lister is working to extend cooperation between the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology and seven partner universities in China and, while furthering these links last year, Ian and Jane lived in China for six months. They very much enjoyed the opportunity to immerse themselves in Chinese culture and explore the country extensively. Towards the end of June, they will be returning from another two months as Nelson envoys in China. This time, their trip included a visit to Huangshi, where Jane was able to visit three schools involved in our art exchange project. From his ten years of involvement, Ian will share his insights into China-New Zealand cultural and educational differences, consider more recent developments, and look to the future of the Nelson initiatives, especially with Huangshi. This will be remarkably fresh comment, as the Listers return to Nelson just the day before our meeting! Before the meal arrives at 6 o’clock, we will be showing the short video presentation created by Aukje Both and Ferry van Mansum on the origins of “ YOU BANFA!”, the theme we shared with the country at National Conference. As usual, we will begin at 5.30 p.m. and then enjoy our buffet meal (cost $12), at 6 o’clock. Our speakers’ presentation will begin about 7 o’clock. Friends and visitors are most welcome but please notify Barbara when you contact her so that we have accurate numbers for the meal. Friday 26 June .. Hearing House .. 5:30 pm To book please ring: Barbara Markland ph. 544 4712 by Tuesday 23 June text: 021 447 180 or e-mail: [email protected] LAST MEETING: It was a full house once again as members and friends enjoyed the exhibition and presentation by two branch members whose painting is strongly connected with Chinese traditions. Rosalina McCarthy’s minimalist landscapes and seascapes generated a lot of discussion. Members appreciated the insight into her ‘two brush strokes’ work, which looked so effortless, but was so full of meaning. All Rosalina’s work, for all its apparent simplicity, arises from extensive study, practice, and mental preparation. After more than 20 years as a member, this was Jifang Black’s first opportunity to tell us about her art career in her home province of Shandong and how she has further developed her painting techniques since coming to Nelson. We were privileged to see a range of Jifang’s New Zealand native birds painted from ‘life’ along with some of her study exercises, life drawings and portraits in the Chinese style. Both Rosalina and Jifang exhibited to a wider audience at the National Conference from 22 - 24 May. MEMBER NEWS: We welcome Janet Jiang and Thomas Gracie as new members. They have moved here from Auckland and came along to our Chinese New Year Banquet. Congratulations to Gail Collingwood who was elected to the Directorate of Sister Cities New Zealand at their recent conference in Wellington. Next year’s Sister Cities NZ conference will be held in Nelson. The latest Sister Cities NZ newsletter includes an article on the recent Nelson Mayoral delegation to China and is available at http://sistercities.org.nz/files/SCNZ%20Newsletter%20May%202015.pdf SUBSCRIPTIONS: Thanks very much to those who have already paid their 2015 subscription. Reminders will be emailed (or posted) soon - your prompt payment would be much appreciated. COMING EVENTS: Children’s Chinese Culture Holiday Programme: at NMIT on Monday 13th & Tuesday 14th July, in cooperation with the Confucius Institute. For any 8-13 year old friends and relations, further information, and the registration form, are available on our branch website or you can contact Lori on 021-02793563: http://nzchinasociety.org.nz/21125/chinese-culture-holiday-programme/ July Meeting (the last Friday, the 31st): John Black and Mark Soper will speak about their background and practice in Chinese Traditional Medicine. Huangshi Delegations: Xu Zugui will be here in July with some media and education people from Huangshi. There will be a mayoral delegation in September to coincide with Nelson’s China Week events. Nelson-Huangshi Schools Art Exchange: Our RAFE project exhibition at Refinery Artspace will link with Nelson’s China Week and New Zealand Chinese Language Week, from 1 - 14 September. JUNE CLARK’S GARDEN MEMORIAL: Many members and friends joined with Arnold and the Clark family in the Huangshi Chinese Garden on Sunday 31 May for a special planting of peony tubers as a lasting tribute to Past President June. Royden Smith gave the following tribute on behalf of the branch. - !2 - In loving memory of June Clark Nelson Huangshi Chinese Garden - 31 May, 2015 During the NZCFS national conference held here in Nelson last weekend, it struck me that one of the keys to a successful branch is undoubtedly having a wonderful president as our guiding force. Nelson Branch has been particularly blessed in that regard with people like Robin Brown (whose memorial tree is planted close by), Chris Mouter, Isabelle Jones, our current president, Christine Ward, and, of course, June Clark, whose dedication and leadership it is such a privilege to remember in our very special Huangshi Chinese Garden today. Thank you for coming along this afternoon as we plant some peonies in June’s honour. In doing this, we show our great respect for her unassuming organisational and personal skills and just how much we all delighted in her company. June began her many years of invaluable service to our branch soon after she and Arnold travelled to China with a New Zealand China Friendship Society tour. It quickly became apparent that she had much to offer and she became our Vice President in 2003, and was then President for six years from 2004 to 2009. Throughout this time, June was thoroughly dedicated to the goals of the Society and did so much to deepen our friendships with people in China and to extend these connections locally. With husband Arnold, June was pivotal in graciously hosting many Chinese guests and ably carried the flag for Nelson Branch at many national meetings and conferences. As our Nelson nominee on the 2004 Prominent Persons and Leaders Delegation, June enjoyed being hosted by the then President of China in the Great Hall of the People, and this was followed by a sojourn to Tibet. Always a strong supporter of Nelson’s Sister-City relationship, June was leader of our Women’s Delegation to Huangshi in 2005. Friendly links with schools, hospitals and businesses were greatly strengthened and these links have continued to grow with subsequent exchanges and delegations. She was also a driving force behind our branch’s commitment to fundraising for the He Ming Qing Scholarships, awarded to trainee nurses in rural China who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford their nursing education. Always very generous with her time and talents, June was instrumental in arranging many interesting and informative speakers for meetings and in assembling excellent nominees for the Prominent Persons and Leaders Delegations. She always enjoyed calling strangers and asking, “How would you like to go to China?” Two particular highlights of June’s presidency occurred in 2007. Through her practical approach, and her personable, humble manner, June was responsible for the organisation of a very successful National Conference, highly rated by all who attended. A tradition that, we should note, was so wonderfully continued last weekend. Furthermore, June was always closely involved with our Huangshi Chinese Garden project and her considerable ability in identifying possible trusts, and making thoughtful, detailed applications, ensured that we received many successful grants totalling nearly $100,000. Her wholehearted commitment and enthusiasm saw the official opening of the garden in November that year - a very special day for Nelson and for Nelson Branch. June was a wise and effective leader of our growing branch, and she was honoured for all her outstanding efforts with the awarding of Life Membership of Nelson Branch at our AGM and Chinese New Year Banquet last year. It was incredibly sad to watch as June gradually faded away during the rest of the year… June did so much to improve our understanding of the Chinese people, to strengthen our relationship with our Sister City, Huangshi, and to see the Chinese Garden through to its successful, and delightful, completion. So it is most appropriate that we join with Arnold, Ruth, Miriam and Nick, and Jasmine and Finn today and plant some peonies in her memory, with these particular varieties chosen because the flowers will best match the pink and plum colours that June often enjoyed wearing. Peonies are the subject of many Chinese paintings and ceramic decorations and were designated as the national flower of China during the Qing dynasty in 1903. They are still accepted as the unofficial national flower of China today and it was a delight to have the opportunity to see so many of them in flower on the hill behind the Forbidden City in Beijing just a couple of weeks ago. How wonderful it will be to come back here later in the year, and see these beautiful peonies in all their stunning, flowering glory and to remember with considerable affection what a wonderful person June was - a keen and dedicated gardener and a very special friend to us all.